Lifting-jack



F. L. RAPSON.

LIFTING JACK.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 10.1918.

1,338,589. P ente Apr- 27, 1920.

6 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Fgi.

34 V J 24 25 E: J 2 .22

F. L. RAPSON.

LlFTING JACK.

APPLICATION FILED JULY l0, 19l8. 1,338,589. atented Apr. 27, 1920.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Fig? 3.

FL /907z,

F. L. RAPSON.

LIFTING JACK. v

APPLICATION FILED JULY 10.1918.

1,338,589. Patented Apr. 27, 1920.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4- F. L. RAPSON.

LIFTING JACK.

APPLICATION FII ED JULY 10,1918.

1,338,589, Patented Apr. 27, 1920.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

F. L. RAPSON.

LIFTING JACK.

APPLICATION FlLED JULY 10,1918.

1,338,589. e ted Apr- 27, 1920.

6 SHEETS-SHEET b'.

Fig 9.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRED LIONEL RAPSON, OF LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND.

LIFTING-JACK.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FREDERICK LIonnL RAPsoN,a subject of His Majesty the King of England, and resident of Liverpool,in

the county of Lancaster, Kingdom of England, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in or Relating to Lifting- Jacks, of which thefollowing is a specification. i I

This invention relates to lifting jacks and the like for use on motorroad and other I vehicles.

I vide a jack which isadapted to be permanently or detachably secured tothe. axles of a vehicle adjacent to each wheel thereof. A further objectis to provide a lifting jack which can be fitted vertically to the axleswithout interfering with the spring clearance and also to provide atelescopic iack with anti-friction screw gearing in w ii ch the frictionwill be reduced to the minimum to insure very easy operation.

A further object is to provide a jack which may be operated by a bracehandle.

A still further object is to provide a jack of the above type with meanswhereby it may be detachably secured or'hooked on to the axle.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in providinga jack' adapted to be permanently or detachably secured to the axle orother part of the vehicle wherein a plurality of members are movedtelescopically and simultaneously by the operation of a bevel wheelrotated by hand or other suitable means, the said members beingconnected to each other by antifriction nut and screw gearin Theinvention will nowbe escribed with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of one form of jack constructedaccording to the invention and in its closed or inoperative position;

Fi 2 is a sectional plan thereof taken on the line A-A of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation thereof showing the jack in itsoperative position;

Fig. 4 is a similar view to Fig. 3 of a modified construction; I

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of the jack shown in Fig. 4 o eratedfrom the footboard or the side 0 the car;

Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patented Apr. 27, 1920.

Application filed July 10, .1918. Serial No. 244,808.

motor car showing a pair of jacks connected by swivel connections to theaxle, one; jack in its operative, position and the other jack in itsinoperat1ve position, the operative position of the latter being shownin dotted lines; I

Fig. .8 is a perspective view'showing a molified form of attachment forthe jack, an

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a hook or attachment for the jack.

As shown more particularly in Figs. 1 to 3 the lifting jack comprises asubstantially cylindrical casing 1 which is adapted to be secured to theaxle 2 of the vehicle preferably adjacent to each wheel 3. Within thecasing 1 is slidably and rotatably mounted a sleeve member 4 formedexternally at its upper portion with a helical substantiallysemicircular groove 5. A nut or sleeve 6 formed with a similarcooperating groove 7 is secured in the casing 1 and within the grooves 7and 5 in the nut and the sleeve member is provided a number ofanti-friction rollers, balls or the like 8 to form the screw threadwhich is preferably right handed. The outer ends of the groove 7 in thenut or sleeve 6 which latter may be formed integrally with the casing 1,are connected by a through channel 9 to provide for the circulation ofthe balls 8. To the lower end of the slidable sleeve member 4 is securedor formed integrall thereon, a nut or sleeve 10 which is formeinternally with a helical substantially semicircular groove or recess11. Within the slidable and rotatable sleeve members 4 and 10 isslidablymounted a rod or the like 12 which is formed along its length with ahelical substantially semicircular groove 13. A number of anti-frictionballs or the like 14 are arranged in the cooperating grooves 11 and 13in the nut 10 on the lower end of the sleeve member 4 and the slidablerod 12 which is hollow throughout and forms a second sleeve member, toform the screw thread which is preferably left handed. The outer ends ofthe ball race 11 in the said nut 10 are connected by a through channel15 to provide for the circulation of the balls 14. The slidable andthreaded rod 12 is formed with an enlarged base 16 to engage on theground when the disposed transversely to the slidable rod 12 v andsleeve 4. This transverse shaft '21 is rotatably mounted in the side ofa casing 22 which is adapted to slide with the rotatable and slidablesleeve 4. Suitable anti-friction ball bearings 23 and 24 are preferablyprovided betweenvthe casing 22 and the lower side of the bevel wheel 19and between the casing 22 and a flange 25 formed on the sleeve 4. Theouter end of the transverse shaft 21 is formed square as shown at 26 orof other convenient shape in section to enable a similar shaped box endof an operating handle to be placed thereon for operating the jack. Ifdesired the shaft 21 may be provided with a box shaped end to receivethe square or other shaped end of an operating handle which. latter ispreferably made of brace shape. The transverse bevel wheel shaft 21 isalso provided with a ratchet wheel 27 which is adapted to be engaged bya pawl 28 mounted on the casing 22 to prevent the sliding members 4 and12 of the jack moving in an upward direction during their operation. Theouter casing 1 is preferably extended downwardly as shown at 29 toreceive the slidable casing 22 when in its normal and upward positionand prevent the entry of dust and dirt. A suitable slot 30 is cut in thedepending portion 29 of the main casing 1 to receive and guide theslidable casing 22 during its travel. A suitable annular washer or thelike 31 may be provided on the upper side of the base or footstep 16 ofthe jack to engage against either or both of the casing and prevent theentry of dust'and dirt and also to prevent vibration.

The main casing 1 of each jack is prefer ably secured to the axle 2adjacent to each wheel 3 by a pair of laterally extending lugs 32engaging the top and bottom flanges of the said axle 2 and by a plate 33at the 7 rear of the axle being secured b bolts, or the bolts could bepassed vertical the said lugs to secure the .jac axle 6.

The jack is operated by placing the squared box shaped end-of a bracehandle on the squared end 26 of the transverse shaft 21 and rotating thesame. This rotation will turn the threaded sleeves 4 and cute 10 throughthe medium of the bevel wheels 20 and 19 and lower the said sleeve andalso the screwed rod 12 and thus raise the axle 2 throu h.

and the adjacent wheel or wheels 3 from the ground so that repairs maybe executed. The wheel maybe lowered preferably automatically by raisingthe pawl 28 out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 27 or by rotatingthe brace handle in the opposite direction as will be well understood.

In a modified form of lifting 'ack as shown in Fig. 4, the transverse saft 21 fitted with the ratchet wheel 27 and bevel wheel 20 is adapted torotate a rod 35 mounted in the upper end of the casing 1 through themedium of the bevel wheel 19 secured thereon. The casing 1 is secured tothe axle 2 of the vehicle as previously described and similar referencenumerals are used for corresponding parts. This rod 35 which isrotatably mounted at its upper end is formed externally with a helicalsubstantially semicircular groove 36. A similar cooperating groove 37 isformed in the upper end of a flanged sleeve member 38 which is slidabland rotatably mounted in the casing 1 an within the grooves 36 and 37 isdisposed a number anti-friction rollers, balls or the like 39 which arereturned and circulate through a channel 40 as previously described. Theflanged sleeve member 38 is formed with an exterior helical groove orrecess 41 for the reception of balls 42 disposed in a groove 43 in nutor sleeve 44 secured in the upper end of a base sleeve 45, a similarchannel 46 being provided for the circulation of the balls 42. Thesleeve 45 is formed with an enlarged base 16 to en age the ground and isfitted with an annu ar washer 31 'to abut against the lower' portion 29of the casing 1 to exclude dirt and dust when the jack is in itsinoperative position. The side of the sleeve member 45 is formed withgrooves or serrations 47 tov cooperate with similar grooves orserrations 48 formed on the lower interior end of the depending portion29of the casing 1 to prevent the rotation of the lower or base sleevemember 45. The upper ends of the sleeve members 38 and 45 are providedwith ball bearings 49 to prevent the sleeves from amming or biting oneagainst the other or-fixing tightly in the casing.

In operation the shaft 21 is rotated by the brace handle to rotate therod 35 through the medium of the bevel wheels 20 and 19. This rotationwill rotate and slide the sleeve 38 downwardly and also move the basesleeve 45 to engage the ground and thereby raise the adjacentwheel ofthe vehicle. The wheel can be lowered by moving the pawl 28 out ofengagement with the ratchet wheel 27 and rotating the shaft 21 in theopposite direction. This rotation lower sleeve 45 will engage in thecasing and move back to its initial position, the latter sleeve 45 beingheld against rotation by the cotiperating serrations 47 and 48.

If desired, the lifting jacks hereinbefore described may be operatedfrom the side of the car as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. In this case theshaft 21 of each jack is provided with a rearwardly extending andlongitudinal shaft 50 having a bevel wheel 51 thereon. The rear or innerend of each shaft 50 is carried in a bearing 52 which is supported by abracket hung from the chassis of the vehicle adjacent to each wheel. Thebearing 52 is preferably formed in one with another bearing 54 which isadapted to carry the inner end of a transversely dis osed shaft 55. Onthe inner end of this latter shaft 55 is secured a bevel wheel 56 whichis adapted to permanentl engage with the bevel wheel 51 on the en of thelongitudinal shaft 50. The outer end-of each transverse shaft 55 issupported by a bearing 57 disposed and carried under the runnin board 58at the side of the car; the outer on of this shaft 55 is preferablyrovided with a squared hole or othersuitab shaped end 59 for thereception of a detachable operating handle 60. The bearings for theshafts 50 and 55 carrying the bevel wheels 51 and 56 are preferablyformed in a cylindrical or cup shaped casing 61 of aluminium or othersuitable material. These casings 61 are adapted to contain grease orother lubricant and keep the working parts free from dirt and mud. Thecasing 61 is formed with a lug for attachement to the bracket 62 and theopen end of the casing is closed by a suitable cover 63. The bearingscarrying the shaft 21 and the longitudinal shaft 51') are preferablyprovided with self-alining ball races 6 1 to allow for the relativemovement which occurs during normal running between the axle 2 and theframe of the car 1 or vehicle. If desired the casing 61 may be connectedto the bracket 62 or the chassis frame by means of swivel connection.

In a further modified construction, the lifting jacks could be connectedto the axle 2 by hinged or swivel connections as shown in Fig. 7. In theconstruction the casing 1 of each jack is provided with a rearwardlyprojecting lug or extension 65 which is rotatably mounted in a plate 66preferably formed or provided with means to connect it to the axle 2 ashereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 1. To the casing 1 of thejack and above and below the projecting lug 65 thereon, about which theack turns is provided spring pressed stops or plungers 67 which areadapted to engage in holes or recesses 68 provided in the plate 64 ofthe axle attachment device. Four of these holes or recesses 68 areprovided one above and vent rattling during the running of the car.

In a further sli htly modified construction, as shown in *i 8, theswiveling devices may be arranged at right angles to the axles 2 of thevehicle so that the jacks can be turned up under or adjacent to thespring 70 on said axles 2. In this instance the attachment devicecomprises a plate 71 formed with a circular or disk like extension 72having a swivel pin holeand the locking holes or recesses arrangedthereon if so desired. This disk like extension 72 is adapted to bereceived between a pair of substantially similar extensions 73 providedon the upper end of the jack casing 1 and these extensions may beprovided with spring pressed balls or plungers to engage in the holes orrecesses in the attachment extension 72 to automatically lock the jackin its operative or inoperative position; The casing 1 of the ack may beformed with an extension 7 1 to engage under the axle 2 when the jack isplaced in its vertical or operative position. The plate 71 of each axleattachment is adapted to be secured to the springs 7 0 by V shaped bolts45 passing around the springs 70 or by other suitable means.

If desired, the upper end of the casing may be provided with hookdevices such as described in my said co-pending applications so that thejack can bedetachably secured to the axle or to coiiperatin hook devicessecured thereon as shown in Fig 9 The upper end of the casing 1 isformed with a lug 76 which is provided with a transverse pin 77. Theextensions of the pin 77 are adapted to be placed in a pair of hookshape extensions 78 formed on Y a plate 79 secured to the springs 70 orto .the axle in any convenient manner.

Thus when a hook device is rovided adjacent to each wheel, only onelifting jack need be carried on the car, the jack being hooked on thedevice adjacent to the wheel it is desired to raise and hooked off andstored in any convenient place on the car when not required.

It will be understood that the telescopic members of thejack may beprovided with other forms of anti-friction screw threads if so desired.

What I claim is 1. A jack comprising a casing, a sleeve memberlongitudinally movable 1n the casing, a second sleeve memberlongitudinally movable in the first sleeve member, a foot be provided tofurther hold the members, and a housing or the gearing carried by andmovable members.

3. A jack comprising a casing, movable sleeve members'arranged w th oneof said sleeve relatively within the casing, gearing for operating thesleeve\ members, and a housing for the gearin carried by and movablewith one of sai sleeve members, said casing being formed to receivethehousing when the sleeve mem bers are at one hmit of movement.

4. In a ack, a casing formed to engage 'with a fixedpart of a vehicle;jack members operable within. the casing, ing means for said members, onthe exterior of each .of said members, anti-friction balls in saidgrooves, and means to inclose and protect the gear means secured to andmovable with one of said jack members.

5. In a jack, a casing havingavehicle engaging projection, relativelymovable jackmembers normally ing in the casing, a guide on the casingfitting in one of said jack-members, anti-friction balls disposed invertical and horizontal ositions'with reference to said casing andack-members, and a foot carried by one of said members and closing thehousin opening when the members are in norma or inoperative positions.

In testimony signed my name.

' FRED LIONEL RAPSON.-- .f

a gear operatspu'al grooves housed Within an open-' hereof I havehereunto.

